A number of important changes to Common Assessment Framework / Single Agency Referral process in Trafford were launched on the 18th April 2011.
Following a review last year the CAF Procedures have now been aligned to Trafford Safeguarding Children's Board and have been updated to reflect Working Together 2010 "where a common assessment has been undertaken it should be used to support a referral to children's social care"
The most important change is the referral into Children's Social Care - MARAT
The Single Agency Referral which has been in operation across the service for last year has been developed further and will now have more than one function as listed below:
- Continue to be a referral/request for single service by all professionals for a service within CYPS (completing all sections)
- If a CAF already exists and circumstances change requiring a referral into children's social care attach a SARF to the CAF (specific sections) and forward to MARAT using Safeguarding Procedures.
- All referrals into Children's Social Care by professionals must be made to Multi-Agency and Assessment Team (MARAT) completing all sections.
The links below will provide further information on both CAF and SARF.
How to Complete a SARF for MARAT
- The referral pathway is more simple and secure. There is an on-line SARF form which on completion automatically moves into MARAT mail box with an immediate response acknowledging receipt of this.
- There is also an electronic form which can be sent via secure email of fax - as before.
- e-CAF for people who are already trained across the borough and is a seamless way to transfer the CAF and SARF together.
The advantage of using e-CAF system is that the information from the CAF can transfer into an initial assessment if appropriate and a SARF can be generated at the same time. Further details on training for e-CAF is also available following the links below.
All the guidance and how to access online forms and electronic forms is available on the links below and the links and there will also be links directly from TSCB website, CYPS website, Trafford Healthcare Trust and PCT, FSNET, Trafford Learning website.
We can also organise additional links from other sites on request.
Support will continue to be available from MARAT and also the Performance Team for ICS and e-CAF issues - contact details and links below:
Website Link: www.cyps.org.uk/integrated_working/
MARAT - 0161 912 5125 / MARAT@trafford.gov.uk
Out of Hours EDT - 0161 912 2020 / EDT@trafford.gov.uk
Performance Team eCAF and ICS Service Desk - 0161 912 2922
Email:
eCAF - eCAFenquiries@trafford.gov.uk
Integrated Working - integratedworking@trafford.gov.uk
or ICS ICS@trafford.gov.uk
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